In 1972 the Upper Levels Highway was constructed, blocking fish access to a number of West Vancouver streams above the highway. A 104-metre-long concrete box culvert under the highway at Hadden Creek made upstream migration by Coho, Chum, Chinook salmon, and steelhead trout impossible due to its high water velocities and smooth concrete configuration.

Beginning in 1997, British Pacific Properties Limited, as part of ongoing land development compensation, spearheaded an ambitious restoration project at Hadden Creek to provide access for salmon upstream of Highway 1 for the first time in nearly 30 years.


Photo shows streambed with offset baffles to provide better salmon access.

Fish access was created with the installation of offset baffles through the length of the concrete culvert and by building a large weir at the downstream end to backwater the culvert entrance. Instream construction works were conducted by Norson Construction Ltd. for British Pacific Properties Limited.

Over many years Hadden Creek home owners had unknowingly damaged the natural spawning channels with many concrete structures and by infilling the creek riparian areas with non-indigenous plant species. The owners of the properties permitted British Pacific Properties Limited and their team to drive heavy equipment across their properties to repair this damage, removing a 40 metre long section of concrete and debris from within the channel, and the further removal of a steep concrete chute. The channel was reconstructed and new cobble/boulder substrate was imported. The banks adjacent to the instream work were also re-contoured, and non-native invasive plant species were removed. Finally, the entire area was re-planted with native shrubs and trees. The stream was, in fact, totally rebuilt to a natural state.

Subsequent to the 1997 instream improvements, Coho have been returning yearly to the newly opened up spawning and rearing areas above the highway. Approximately 20 Coho were spotted in Hadden Creek weeks after the instream work was completed, and in the past six years, Chum and Chinook have also been confirmed utilizing the 450 metre section above the highway. This newly reclaimed section of Hadden Creek may be one of the best natural spawning habitats within the Capilano watershed. British Pacific Properties Limited is continuing with efforts to restore damaged steams in the District of West Vancouver.

In its news release describing the award, the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce also noted some of British Properties historical contributions to West Vancouver:

"The 2003 Business Of The Year Award was presented to British Pacific Properties Ltd. who were founded in 1931 and have played a unique role in West Vancouver's development, building such landmark projects as the Lions Gate Bridge, the Capilano Golf & Country Club, and Park Royal Shopping Centre. In building exceptional communities like the current Whitby Estates, this organization remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality design and construction, balanced with careful protection of the natural environment."